Strap for attaching a pacifier, teething ring, toy or other child&#39;s implement to a garment of children&#39;s clothing

ABSTRACT

An attractive, colorful safety strap used to attach a pacifier, teething ring, toy or other child&#39;s implement to a garment of children&#39;s clothing. It is comprised of a strap, with a commonly known snap fastener, each having a male part and a female part, permanently attached to both ends of the strap. Additional female part snap fasteners are attached to one end of the strap to provide the means to vary the length of the strap and also permit the attachment of implements of various sizes to the strap. One end of the strap is looped through or around a pacifier, teething ring, toy or other child&#39;s implement, and the male and female parts engaged, thereby attaching the implement to the strap. The other end of the strap may be attached to a garment of children&#39;s clothing three ways; one, by engaging the male or female part snap fastener on the strap with the existing, compatible female or male part snap fastener on the garment; two, by looping the strap around an existing, engaged fastener on the garment and engaging the male part and female part snap fasteners on the strap; and, three, by inserting the strap through a buttonhole and engaging the male part and female part snap fasteners on the strap. It is unique in being a safe, attractive and effective means to attach a child&#39;s implement to a garment of children&#39;s clothing to make the implement readily available, pacify a child and relieve the discomfort of teething, provide amusement for the child and restful, uninterrupted sleep for the child and the child&#39;s family.

This Application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/857,220 filed on May 27, 2004. The components that are continued are comprised of the strap and the two commonly known snap fasteners, each snap fastener having a male part and a female part.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a strap that is used to attach a pacifier, teething ring, toy or other child's implement to a garment of children's clothing. The strap has a commonly known snap fastener on both ends, each snap fastener comprised of a male part and a female part. Additional female parts are added to one end of the strap to change the length of the strap and to accommodate implements of various sizes. One end of the strap is looped through a child's implement, such as a pacifier, teething ring or toy, and the male and female parts of the snap fastener are engaged, securing the implement to the strap. The other end of the strap is engaged to an existing snap fastener on a garment of children's clothing, usually the male part of the strap to the existing female part on the clothing. If the fasteners on the strap and the garment of children's clothing are not compatible, the strap may be looped around an existing, engaged fastener, having two releasable, engageable parts, on a garment of children's clothing and the male part and female part on the strap may be engaged to secure the strap to the garment. If there are buttonholes on the garment of children's clothing, the strap may be looped through a buttonhole and the male and female parts on the strap engaged to secure the strap to the garment.

There are numerous straps to attach a child's implement to a garment of children's clothing to alleviate problems associated with fulfilling the sucking need, providing amusement to a child, assisting the child and the child's family to experience restful, uninterrupted sleep and easing teething pain, but only two types are actually products in the market, clip device straps and velcro fastener straps. Also, all of the existing straps do not fulfill one or more of the requirements of safe use by the child, durability, easy access or benefit to the child. The fastener means used by the existing straps to secure a child's implement to the strap and secure the strap to a garment of children's clothing are snaps, clips, sewing the strap to the garment, velcro and loops. Most of these straps contain more than one of these fastener means.

Straps that utilize commonly known snap fasteners are Chang, U.S. Pat. No. 6,312,449, Pacifier retaining device and Perry, U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,037, Pacifier strap. Chang is actually two straps, one that encircles the child's torso, with a slider member to adjust the size, and another strap which has the pacifier attached at one end, using a slider member, which also adjusts the length of the strap, and is attached to the first strap by a male part of a snap fastener on the other end that engages with a female part of a snap fastener on the first strap. Perry uses a clip at one end of the strap to attach the strap to a garment of children's clothing and a snap fastener with a male part and a female part on the other end to form a loop for a child's implement for the child's use. He also has additional female snap fastener parts attached to that end to vary the length of the strap and to accommodate implements of various sizes. Both devices have safety problems. Chang could entangle the child in the strap wrapped around the torso, if the slider moved and loosened the strap, which easily could happen with usual child activity. Perry's clip could pinch the child, tear the clothing fabric and is easily removable by the child, creating frustration when the implement is not available. In addition to the elimination of the safety hazards of Chang and Perry, the strap of the present invention can be utilized in three ways: to engage an existing male or female snap fastener part on a garment, to loop around an existing, engaged fastener, comprised of two releasable, engageable parts, on a garment and to loop through a buttonhole on a garment. Chang's second strap could only be used separated from the first strap, if the male snap fastener part on it was compatible with an existing female snap fastener part on a garment. The strap of the present invention also removes the indicated other problems of using a clip to attach the strap to a garment of children's clothing, torn clothing and the child removing the pacifier clip from the garment.

Additional straps that embody clips are Shefflin, U.S. Pat. No. 6,638,298, Pacifier clip and cover, Allbaugh, U.S. Pat. No. 6,428,098, Child seat liner, Fields et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,749, Mesh pacifier with attachment clip, Roberts et al, U.S. Pat. No. D326,917, Retaining strap for pacifier and Huber et al, U.S. Pat. No.4,903,698, Pacifier strap and fastener for attachment to a garment. All of these straps have the previously discussed problems of using a clip to attach the strap to a garment of children's clothing, which are significant problems to be associated with a device to be used by a child.

Bronson, U.S. Pat. No. RE38,393, Harness/combination vest, Vickers, U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,509, Convertible diaper bag/changing pad and Nelson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,088, Adjustable infant carrier all have straps that are sewn to a multi-purpose device for children, and the straps are used to attach a child's implement to the device. These straps are not of benefit to the child unless the child is using the device and also not easily accessed, as they are sewn permanently to the device.

Velcro straps are used extensively, and Prince, U.S. Pat. No. 6,221,093, Infant pacifier and pillow, Williams, U.S. Pat. No. D415,837, Pacifier securement strap and Winger, U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,408, Pacifier holder for infants all use velcro straps. With repeated use and washing, velcro deteriorates and becomes ineffective in securing the child's implement to the strap and the strap to the infant's clothing or device. Velcro also is easily pulled apart, which would cause the child's implement to become unavailable and create frustration for the child.

Both Chamberlain, U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,649, Pacifier securing system and Hempstead-Harris, U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,894, Stretchable pacifier retainer harness have straps with large loops on both ends for fitting around the child's ears, and the strap has a pacifier attached in the middle for the child's use. These devices are questionable as to safety and benefit to the child, as the child cannot remove the pacifier from its mouth without assistance, a safety issue, and they could be a source of fear and frustration from having the strap around the ears and drawn snugly across the face.

The present invention is a safe, effective, convenient strap, which accomplishes attaching a child's implement, such as a pacifier, toy or teething ring, to a garment of children's clothing. It could be manufactured in straps of different colors, patterns and materials to become an attractive device that alleviates for parents and children the problems associated with fulfilling the sucking need, providing amusement to a child, assisting the child and the child's family to sleep restfully and easing teething pain.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a strap that is used to attach a pacifier, teething ring, toy or other child's implement to a garment of children's clothing. The strap has a commonly known snap fastener on both ends, each snap fastener comprised of a male part and a female part. Additional female parts are added to change the length of the strap, and that feature also accommodates implements of various sizes, such as toys. One end of the strap is looped through a child's implement, such as a pacifier, teething ring or toy, and the male and female parts of the snap fastener are engaged, securing the implement to the strap. The other end of the strap is engaged to an existing snap fastener on a garment of children's clothing, usually the male part of the strap to the existing female part on the clothing, thereby securing the strap and implement to the garment. If the fasteners on the strap and the garment of children's clothing are not compatible, the strap may be looped around an existing, engaged fastener, having two engageable and releasable parts, on a garment of children's clothing and the male part and the female part on the strap may be engaged to secure the strap and implement to the garment. If there are buttonholes on the garment of children's clothing, the strap may be inserted in a buttonhole and the male and female parts on the strap engaged to secure the strap and implement to the garment.

The problems of fulfilling the sucking needs of young children, relieving teething pain, providing uninterrupted, restful sleep to the child and the child's family and providing amusement for the child are resolved by the child having ready access to an implement, such as a pacifier, teething ring, toy or other child's implement. The strap is safe, attractive, effective and significantly increases happiness and tranquility for the child and parents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the strap 1 and the folds 11 of the strap 1, indicating the back side of the male part 2 of the first snap fastener, the back side of the female part 3 of the first snap fastener, the additional female snap fastener parts 4, the front side of the female part 5 of the second snap fastener and the front side of the male part 6 of the second snap fastener.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the strap 1 and the folds 11 of the strap 1, having the second snap fastener female part 5 and male part 6 (not visible) engaged, showing the front side of the female part 5, and indicating the back side of the male part 2 of the first snap fastener, the back side of the female part 3 of the first snap fastener and the additional female snap fastener parts 4.

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the strap 1 and the folds 11 of the strap 1, having both the first snap fastener male part 2 and female part 3 engaged and the second snap fastener female part 5 and male part 6 engaged. The additional female parts 4 are also indicated.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the strap 1 and the folds 11 of the strap 1, having the strap 1 looped through the handle of the pacifier 7 and both the first snap fastener male part 2 and female part 3 engaged, thereby attaching a pacifier 7 to the strap 1, and the second snap fastener female part 5 and male part 6 (not visible) engaged. The additional female snap fastener parts 4 are also indicated.

FIG. 5 is a front plan view of a garment of children's clothing 8 showing the strap 1, with the female part 5 not engaged and the male part 6 of the second strap fastener engaged with an existing female snap fastener part 9 (not visible) on the garment, thereby attaching the strap to the garment. The male part 2 is looped through a pacifier handle and engaged with the female part 3 (not visible) of the first snap fastener, thereby attaching a pacifier 7 to the strap 1. The additional female snap fastener parts 4 are also indicated.

FIG. 6 is a front plan view of a garment of children's clothing 8 showing the strap 1 inserted through an existing buttonhole 10 on the garment and the male part 6 (not visible) of the second strap fastener engaged to the female part 5, thereby attaching the strap to the garment. The male part 2 is looped through the handle of a pacifier and engaged with the female part 3 (not visible) of the first snap fastener, thereby attaching a pacifier 7 to the strap 1. The additional female snap fastener parts 4 are also indicated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a strap used to attach a pacifier, teething ring, toy or other child's implement to a garment of children's clothing. A commonly known snap fastener, having a male part and a female part, is attached on both ends of the strap. One end of the strap can be looped through or around a pacifier, teething ring, toy or other child's implement and the male and female parts engaged, thereby attaching the implement to the strap. That end of the strap has additional female snap fastener parts attached, which varies the length of the strap and, also, accommodates implements of various sizes, such as toys. The male snap fastener on the other end of the strap can be engaged to an existing female snap fastener on a garment of children's clothing, thereby attaching the strap and implement to the clothing. If the fasteners on the strap and the garment of children's clothing are not compatible, the strap may be looped around an existing, engaged fastener, having two engageable and releasable parts, on a garment of children's clothing and the male part and the female part on the strap can be engaged to secure the strap and implement to the garment. If the garment has buttonholes, one end of the strap can be inserted into the buttonhole and the male part and female part on the strap can be engaged to secure the strap and implement to the garment.

The strap is constructed by cutting a length of ribbon, lace or like attractive material, which is long enough to permit the child's implement to be comfortably used by the child but not so long as to permit the child to become entangled in it, folding the end of the strap twice and attaching, by hammering it in place, sewing it in place, using an adhesive or other method of permanent attachment, a first commonly known snap fastener, having a male part and a female part, to one end of the strap and a second commonly known snap fastener, having a male part and a female part, to the other end of the strap. Additional female part snap fasteners are attached in the same manner to one end to vary the length of the strap and accommodate implements of various sizes, by the male part of the snap fastener being engaged with any female part snap fastener.

This strap is a safe, attractive, effective means of making a child's implement readily available to a child to fulfill the sucking need, relieve the pain of teething, provide uninterrupted and restful sleep for the child and the child's family and provide amusement to the child. Families of young children are constantly challenged to respond to these needs. Many devices have been patented to do that, but very few are actually available for purchase, and those that are have issues of safety, durability, ease of use and accessibility to the child.

This strap solves these problems in unique ways, providing three ways to securely attach the strap to a garment of children's clothing and the ability to attach children's implements of various sizes to the strap. It can be manufactured in attractive, colorful materials, both solid colors and patterns of children's themes. It is very easy to use and convenient to take along when away from home. It is a simple device, which very effectively solves problems that families of young children must face everyday. 

1. A strap for attaching a pacifier, teething ring, toy or other child's implement to a garment of children's clothing, comprising: a first commonly known snap fastener, having a male and a female part that are engageable and releasable, attached to one end of the strap that when looped through a child's implement and engaged, attaches the implement to the strap; a second commonly known snap fastener, having a male and a female part that are engageable and releasable, attached to the other end of the strap that when looped around an existing, engaged snap fastener on a garment of children's clothing or looped through an existing buttonhole on a garment of children's clothing, attaches the strap and implement to the garment of children's clothing; said second commonly known snap fastener, having a male part and a female part that are engageable and releasable, that when the male part or female part is engaged with an existing, compatible female part or male part on a garment of children's clothing, attaches the strap and implement to the garment of children's clothing; additional female part commonly known snap fasteners attached to the strap that allow the length of the strap to be adjusted and implements of various sizes to be accommodated by engaging the male part snap fastener on the end of the strap with any female part snap fastener.
 2. The strap defined in claim 1, which is constructed by cutting a length of ribbon, lace or other elongated, thin, flat strip of material, which is long enough to permit the child's implement to be comfortably used by the child but not so long as to permit the child to become entangled in it, folding the ends of the strap twice and attaching, by hammering it in place, sewing it in place, using an adhesive or other method of permanent attachment, a first commonly known snap fastener, having a male part and a female part, to one end of the strap and a second commonly known snap fastener, having a male part and a female part, to the other end of the strap.
 3. The strap defined in claim 1, whose additional female part snap fasteners are attached to the strap by hammering them in place, sewing them in place, using an adhesive or other method to permanently attach the snap fasteners to the strap.
 4. A strap for attaching a child's implement to a garment of children's clothing comprising: a first fastener, which has two releasable, engageable parts, attached to one end of the strap that when looped through a child's implement and engaged, attaches the implement to the strap; a second fastener, which has two releasable, engageable parts, attached to the other end of the strap that when looped around an existing, engaged fastener on a garment of children's clothing or looped through an existing buttonhole on a garment of children's clothing, attaches the strap and implement to the garment of children's clothing; said second fastener, which has two releasable, engageable parts, attached to the other end of the strap that when engaged with an existing, compatible fastener on a garment of children's clothing, attaches the strap and implement to the garment of children's clothing. additional releasable, engageable fastener parts attached to the strap that allow the length of the strap to be adjusted by engaging one fastener part with any compatible fastener part.
 5. The strap defined in claim 4, which is constructed by cutting a length of ribbon, lace or other elongated, thin strip of material, which is long enough to permit the child's implement to be comfortably used by the child but not so long as to permit the child to become entangled in it, folding the ends of the strap twice and attaching, using the appropriate method of permanent attachment for the fastener, a first releasable, engageable, two part fastener to one end of the strap and a second releasable, engageable, two part fastener to the other end of the strap.
 6. The strap defined in claim 4, whose additional fastener parts are attached to the strap by the appropriate method of permanent attachment for the fastener. 